Estonian is full of playful expressions that can add a dash of humour to any conversation. Whether you're at a pub, a dinner party, or just chatting with friends, these phrases will make you sound like a local with a sense of humour. Here are 15 of the best.
1. "Mul on nagu kotil püksid"
Mul on nagu kotil püksid
/mul on nɑgu kotil pyksid/“I have pants like a bag”
2. "Sa oled nagu kass, kes on kukkunud vanni"
Sa oled nagu kass, kes on kukkunud vanni
/sɑ oled nɑgu kɑsː kes on kukːunud vɑnːi/“You’re like a cat that fell into the bathtub”
3. "Ma olen täis nagu kott"
Ma olen täis nagu kott
/mɑ olen tæis nɑgu kotː/“I’m full like a sack”
4. "Tema suu käib nagu vesiveski"
Tema suu käib nagu vesiveski
/temɑ suː kæib nɑgu vesiveski/“Their mouth works like a watermill”
5. "Sa oled nagu kass, kes vaatab telekat"
Sa oled nagu kass, kes vaatab telekat
/sɑ oled nɑgu kɑsː kes vɑːtɑb telekɑt/“You’re like a cat watching TV”
6. "Mul on nagu kaks vasak kätt"
Mul on nagu kaks vasak kätt
/mul on nɑgu kɑks vɑsɑk kætː/“I have two left hands”
7. "See on nagu kana hambaid otsimas"
See on nagu kana hambaid otsimas
/seː on nɑgu kɑnɑ hɑmbɑid otsimɑs/“It’s like a chicken looking for teeth”
8. "Ma olen nagu kass, kes on leidnud koera"
Ma olen nagu kass, kes on leidnud koera
/mɑ olen nɑgu kɑsː kes on leidnud koerɑ/“I’m like a cat who found a dog”
9. "Tema naerab nagu hobune"
Tema naerab nagu hobune
/temɑ nɑerɑb nɑgu hobune/“They laugh like a horse”
10. "Sa oled nagu kass, kes on kukkunud piimakarri"
Sa oled nagu kass, kes on kukkunud piimakarri
/sɑ oled nɑgu kɑsː kes on kukːunud piːmɑkɑrːi/“You’re like a cat that fell into the milk churn”
11. "Mul on peas nagu karusnahk"
Mul on peas nagu karusnahk
/mul on peɑs nɑgu kɑrusnɑhk/“I have fur in my head”
12. "Tema jalad käivad kiiremini kui pea"
Tema jalad käivad kiiremini kui pea
/temɑ jɑlɑd kæivɑd kiːremini kui peɑ/“Their legs work faster than their head”
13. "Ma olen nagu kass, kes on sattunud tantsu"
Ma olen nagu kass, kes on sattunud tantsu
/mɑ olen nɑgu kɑsː kes on sɑtːunud tɑntsu/“I’m like a cat that ended up in a dance”
14. "Tema on nagu kass, kes magab päikese käes"
Tema on nagu kass, kes magab päikese käes
/temɑ on nɑgu kɑsː kes mɑgɑb pæikese kæes/“They’re like a cat sleeping in the sun”
15. "Mul on nagu kaks kotti kartuleid seljas"
Mul on nagu kaks kotti kartuleid seljas
/mul on nɑgu kɑks kotːi kɑrtuleid seljɑs/“I have two sacks of potatoes on my back”
Estonians appreciate humour, especially when it’s self-deprecating or playful. Try dropping one of these in conversation and see how it lands!
